The Board of Education realized that it was a bold move for a small school district, but the program’s philosophy and curriculum perfectly aligned with the community’s demographic diversity and educational values. Implemented with the help of a significant grant from the Dobbs Ferry Schools Foundation, the School District and community were committed to an international education for Dobbs Ferry High School students. Some 18 years later, with over 30 different languages spoken in the homes of approximately 1500 students, the International Baccalaureate program makes sense – yesterday and today.

Dobbs Ferry High School students take at least one IB course and many students take multiple IB classes as well as pursue the challenging IB Diploma. The Board of Education and community understand that today more than ever, all students need to be prepared with the 21st Century skills that will enable them to be successful in a global economy and world that changes at lightning speed. The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) is universally regarded as an academic model that is rooted in its commitment to providing students with opportunities to develop those skills necessary to succeed in a globally interdependent world.

In order to meet these exciting new challenges for the future, the Dobbs Ferry School District is pursuing authorization (a two-year process) for an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (MYP). The MYP is for students in grades 6 – 10 and introduces the IB instructional philosophy into classrooms.

The IB Middle Years Program begins to emphasize and incorporate the all-important skills of the IB Learner Profile. The IB Learner Profile essentially identifies the outcomes that we want for ALL students. IB learners strive to be:

Inquirers

Knowledgeable

Thinkers

Communicators

Principled

Open-minded

Caring

Risk-takers

Balanced

Reflective

The MYP will provide academic continuity between the Middle School and High School. As a public school system, we are responsible for providing the most relevant and rigorous education possible for students to ensure their success in the real world. The IB Diploma Program meets that criteria and is an internationally accepted standard of excellence, recognized by the most selective colleges and universities in the United States and abroad. Our long-term vision is that ultimately Dobbs Ferry becomes the first IB School District in the area with the addition of the Middle Years Program and eventually a Primary Years Program (PYP) at Springhurst.

Please note: Dobbs Ferry High School is a candidate school* in partnership with Dobbs Ferry Middle School for the Middle Years Programme. These schools are pursuing authorization as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that Dobbs Ferry High School and Dobbs Ferry Middle School believe are important for our students.

*Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its three academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), or the Diploma Programme (and in addition the IB Career-related Certificate). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.